Council faces fierce criticism for Christmas rubbish collections

CIVIC chiefs faced fierce criticism over the handling of rubbish over the festive season, with one councillor branding the situation “shameful”.

Rubbish from the Christmas market was of particular concern, while arrangements for the distribution of information about residential collections was also slammed.

Cllr Jane Rutter said: “On the two occasions I visited the market the bins were overflowing and litter was considerable; a shameful situation.”

At a council meeting in the Guildhall on Wednesday (Jan 8), members also raised concern over the state of public toilets at St Maurice’s covert on the High Street, described by one councillor as ‘nasty’.

Cllr Daryl Henry and Cllr David McLean said residents were unhappy with the handling of their bin collections by the city’s contractor, Biffa.

Cllr Henry asked whether civic chief chiefs will seek compensation from Biffa after collection dates were changed, with not all residents aware of the alterations.

Portfolio holder for neighbourhoods and the environment, Cllr Jan Warwick, said she “appreciated the sentiment” behind Biffa’s changes to the timetable, but said that “on the whole the system has worked really well in the past.”

She said Biffa will contribute towards the cost of a pamphlet this summer on educating residents about recycling.

She added: “I was in the Mayor’s Parade and bins were stuffed full with torches and that sort of thing and the next morning it was all gone, so I do thing we ought to compliment our refuse teams as well.”